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Silvinho - Arsenal still has a place in my heart

Brazil 0-2 Portugal

Friendly Match Emirates Stadium Tuesday, Feb 6, 2007. 8pm

By Dan Brennan

A decade ago, the notion of Brazilians playing for Arsenal might
still have seemed a touch fanciful. That all changed with the
arrival of Arsène Wenger, who has drafted in a series of Samba
stars, one of whom, Gilberto Silva, is set to feature today, while
Julio Baptista and young Denilson have also figured in the
Seleção recently.

The first Brazilian to blaze the trail to North London was one
Silvio Mendes Campos Junior, better known as Silvinho, who arrived
from his home-town club Corinthians in 1999. A marauding left-back,
Silvinho spent two seasons with the Gunners, gaining many friends
and admirers, before heading to Spain in 2001, first to Celta Vigo
and then his current club Barcelona, where he has won both domestic
and European silverware. Soon to be 33, he recently signed a new
deal that will keep him at the Camp Nou until 2008. Ahead of
today's game he shared his thoughts on the current Brazil team
with the matchday programme.

Were it not for a busy schedule with Barcelona, who are flying
high in La Liga once more and have a last 16 Champions League tie
against Liverpool to look forward to, former Gunner Silvinho says
he would be hopping on the plane to London today to pay a first
visit to the Emirates.

"I've been telling my Barca teammates Deco and
Ronaldinho that they are very lucky to be playing at Arsenal's
great new stadium," reveals the former Gunner. "I've
not had a chance to visit myself yet, though I've seen it on
TV, but I'd love to be there to watch the game and experience
the atmosphere. Unfortunately, I think I'll be busy in Spain
with training, so it's probably not going to be possible. But
when I get some free time, I will definitely come over. I'd
love that.

"I have really great memories of being an Arsenal player.
The Club is still a part of me; they were my first team in Europe
and they gave me a great opportunity to play in one of the best
teams in the world."
Turning his thoughts to today's game and the state of the
national team, Silvinho sees plenty to enthuse about.

"As always, Brazil will put out a great side. Of course
there are some changes going on now in the team. We have a change
of generations, with new players such as Robinho and Elano, who
played a great game against Argentina. There are several players
who are now playing in Russia and Ukraine who have the chance to
become big stars for Brazil. I am talking about Elano, and also
Wagner Love and Daniel Carvalho. They don't have European
passports now, but perhaps they will eventually move to Spain or
England."

While the likes of Elano and Carvalho are the latest players to
emerge off the never-ending conveyor belt of attacking players, it
is perhaps in defence where the generation change is most evident.
After what seems an eternity rampaging down the flanks for the
Selecao, veteran full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos have finally
called time on their international careers. And while stepping into
their boots is an immensely tall order, Silvinho - who himself won
six caps as understudy to Roberto Carlos - believes they have
another future star emerging in his position.

"If I had to pick one player for a big future - a player I
really like and who I wish great luck to - it would be Adriano
Correia Claro," says Silvinho. "He plays on the left of
midfield for Sevilla, but has started now to play left-back for the
Brazilian national team, which is really his natural position.
There are several very good players coming through in this
position. Replacing Roberto Carlos is a tough job, but I think
Adriano has a great chance to do it. He is a terrific prospect and
has a great future."

Another player who Silvinho will be keeping a special eye on for
both Brazil and with his former club Arsenal is Julio 'The
Beast' Baptista, who at the time of this interview was busy
wreaking havoc on the Liverpool defence, scoring four goals at
Anfield in the Carling Cup.

"I don't know Julio Baptista personally, although we
played against each other a few times in Spain," says
Silvinho. "He is so strong, and so quick. Especially when he
was at Sevilla, he was fantastic. I am sure he will be a real
success for Arsenal. As for Denilson [Arsenal's other Brazilian
recruit last summer], I don't really know anything about him,
to be honest. But he has captained the Brazil Under-18 team, and
the fact that Arsène Wenger has signed him is enough to tell
you that he must be something special.

"It's really hard to explain why Brazil produces so
many good young players like Denilson. Obviously, it is a very big
country, and football is so important to everyone. Every kid in
Brazil dreams of becoming the next big star. Maybe we will be
seeing him in the Seleção before too long as
well."

Real the full interview
and much, much more in
the official Brazil v Portugal
matchday programme.
Price £5

Copyright 2016 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source

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